Army ant

Eciton burchellii

There are over 200 different known species of army ant. Eciton burchelliiis one of the most studied species, and has typical army ants characteristics.

They are very aggressive and can tackle among some of the largest prey. They rest in temporary nests made entirely of ants, also known as a ‘bivouac‘. The queen ant and her brood stay safe in the centre of the mass of ants. The colony moves at night to its next location which could be up-to 200 yards away at speeds of 20 yards/hour.

At dawn, the workers spread out into a fan shaped swarm raiding almost all life in their way. They travel around 100 – 200 meters on their raiding days. Lead workers leave a chemical trail for others to follow. Smaller workers lead the column, while the major workers protect the flanks.

The entire colony can relocate to a new nesting site when they need a fresh food supply. Army ant colonies move in such large numbers that they can be heard marching along the forest floors. Sometimes workers connect together to make ‘ant bridges’ so that the army can flow faster over cracks, holes and even flowing streams.

The male drone ants are known as ‘sausage ants’ because of their large size and sausage shape.

Scientific names

Eciton burchellii (featured), mostly Ecitoninae sp sp.

Distribution

Army ants can be found in the tropics and subtropics of Brazil, Peru and Mexico.

Habitat

Army ants are normally found in hot and humid lowland tropical rain forests. Their nests are typically found at the base of tree trunks.

Diet

Mostly insects including tarantulas, scorpions, beetles and other ant species all in large amounts. The occasional mammal including frogs, snakes and lizards.

Colony size

Established colonies may be found with between 150 thousand to 2 million individuals.

Queen

Unlink most queens, army ant queens are born without wings. They are large queens that change size depending if she is relocating to a new nest or not. She can lay up to 30,000 eggs each day. The queen and her colony can live between 10-20 years. Monogyn (one queen per colony).

Minor WorkersMinor army ant workers are typically between 3-7mm. Dark ants with orange abdomens. Workers generally live for about 1 year.

Major Workers

Army ants are polymorphic and have majorcastes which are typically 10-12mm long. They are pale orange heads, dark orange legs and dark oversized mandibles. Take a look at the Gigapan link below, here you can really zoom in on one of these extreme looking ants.

Risk

Army ants are aggressive, and have a very strong bite. They have a serious impact on the native insects that cross their paths.

Pet Info
You would have to be mad to have army ants as a pet!

Army Ant Videos

Army Ant Links :

Glossary

All words found in bold throughout antARK can found in this glossary.

Aletes –

winged reproductive ants.

Asexual –

the ability to reproduce without a sexual partner, off spring will be clones of parents.

Antenna –

used to smell, touch, feel and communicate with other ants. Attached to the front of the head, they can move in-front and behind the ant.

Aspirator –

see ‘Pooter’

Arthropods –

a group of invertebrate animals that includes insects, spiders, crustaceans and their relatives.

Biomass –

a mass of organisms.

Bivouac –

a nest made of entirely of ants, primarily found in the Army ant species.

Brood –

the first born, consisting of eggs, larvae, pupae and ants.

Carnivore –

a meat eating diet, carnivorous ants mostly eat other invertebrates.

Callows –

young immature adult ants, typically paler in colour.

Caste –

the different types of ant in a colony. i.e. queens, drones, soldiers, workers and all in-between.

Colony –

A group of ants, which cooperatively construct nests or rears brood.

Compound eyes –

ants have many small eyes placed next to each other. This enables them to see close movement.

Crop –

holds the ants social food it will share with the colony.

Diurnal –

active during the day time.

Drone –

a reproductive male ant.

Dufour’s gland –

is believed to be involved with the laying of chemicals that guide other ants and perhaps the attraction of mates.

Eclose –

when the ant brood changes through stages of the life cycle.

Entomology –

the study of insects.

Exoskeleton –

An external skeleton, providing rigidity and support for the ant.

Forage –

when a worker ant leaves its nest to find food.

Formicaria –

plural of ‘formicarium’.

Formicarium –

an artificial container designed to house a colony of ants.

Gamergates –

rare female worker ants which can mate and reproduce, keeping the colony alive after the queen dies.

Gastor –

part of the abdomen. It contains vital organs, it is has a telescoping construction of seven segments that gives this large area flexibility.

Genes –

information passed down through generations that determine characteristics of offspring.

Genus –

a grouping of organisms that have common characteristics distinct from those of other such groupings. i.e Lasius sp.

Genera –

plural of genus.

Granaries –

a storage areas where ‘harvester ants’ store their collected seeds.

Granivory –

the process by which harvester ants grind and eat seeds.

Herbivore –

a plant eating diet, see leaf cutter ants.

Homopterans –

plant bugs such as aphids, scale insects and mealy bugs.

Honey dew –

a sweet nutritious sugary substance produced by homopterans eaten by ants.

Hymenoptera –

the Order in which ants occur, the Order also includes bees, wasps and sawflies.

Invertebrate –

an animal without a backbone.

Major worker –

the larger worker ants found in a colonies caste, also known as soldier ants.

Mandibles –

the ants main jaws, these are used for cutting, holding, fighting, and digging. There are smaller mouthparts for chewing food.

Median workers –

worker ants found in polymorphic species that are sized between minor and major workers.

Monodomous –

when a single colony lives in and maintains a single nest.

Monogyn –

Ant species that have one active queen per colony.

Metamorphosis –

the transformation from an immature form to an adult form.

Minor worker –

the smaller worker ants found in a colonies caste.

Minims –

first born ants that tend to be smaller than typical established colony workers. See also ‘nantics’.

Myrmecochory –

a term used to describe seed dispersal by ants.

Myrmecology –

the study of ants.

Myrmecophile –

an invertebrate or plant that has a symbiotic relationship with the ants.

Nantics –

first born ants that tend to be smaller than typical established colony workers. See also ‘minims’.

Nectar –

a sweet nutritious sugary substance produced by homopterans eaten by ants.

Nocturnal –

active at night time.

Nuptial flight –

normally during late spring and summer seasons, the alates take to the skies to mate.